Translators

In June 2008, WCJW began simulcasting its programming on FM Translator W279BO in Warsaw, a 250 watt facility collocated with the studio and AM transmitter, and in November 2008, W288BZ began operating on 105.5 MHz from the Genesee County public safety tower in Batavia. In January 2009, W265BX began serving southern Wyoming County and Livingston County, and in November 2011, WCJW’s fourth translator W282BQ commenced service to Le Roy, northern Livingston County, and southwestern Monroe County, including the Interstate 390 corridor from Geneseo to Henrietta. All four translators transmit in stereo and employ the Radio Data System.

History

WCJW began broadcasting on May 16, 1973 as a 1 kW daytime facility under the ownership of broadcast engineer John Weeks, who had spent much of his career on the engineering staff of WJR in Detroit. Weeks envisioned a family-oriented operation, with his wife Catherine and daughters Carolyn and Jill filling early staff positions at the station. WCJW’s original music format took an easy listening / MOR approach, later dubbed “The Heart of Western New York“.

Upon Weeks’ retirement in September 1984, the station was purchased by Warsaw resident Lloyd Lane and a group of local investors. A format change to country music in 1986 brought increased support from listeners in this rural region of upstate New York with a local economy based primarily on dairy farming. In 1999, the station’s nominal power was increased to 2,500 watts.

Prior to adding the FM translators in 2008, WCJW was a daytime-only station.